Every-Hall has sights on Olympic final

Bendigo rower Hannah Every-Hall and crew mate Bronwen Watson will use the next few days to search for ways to improve on their impressive heat at the London Olympics.

The Australian women’s lightweight double sculls team overcame average form leading into the Games to finish second behind world champions Greece on Sunday night.

The Australian duo (7:05.30) were less than two seconds adrift of the Greeks (7:03.66) on the 2km course and finished more than three seconds clear of the USA in third.

By finishing in the top-two, Every-Hall and Watson avoided the repechage and moved directly into the semi-finals on Thursday night at 7.30pm (AEST).

“We knew coming in that the race would be tough as it is a tight field and the heat we drew had some quality crews in it,” Every-Hall told the Bendigo Advertiser.

“That being said, we know what we are capable of and that, so far this year, we had not displayed our capabilities to their maximum. To get the first race out of the system and to advance without the need to go through the repechage is a good first step.

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“The expectations that Bronwen and I have set ourselves are always high.”

Every-Hall and Watson moved into medal calculations at their debut Olympics following their heat, which came as a big improvement from seventh and ninth-placed finishes at two World Cup regattas leading into the Games.

“We will be in the boat each day searching for every little bit of extra boat speed we can find, also making sure we recover well over the next couple of days will be so important. Physio, massage and sleep are our new best friends,” Every-Hall said.

“You always feel there is room for improvement and what that equates to in margins in the million dollar question.

“We will take confidence from the fact we are rowing closer to our true potential and see what happens on Thursday. We will certainly not die wondering ‘what if?’.”

Every-Hall, 34, said many Australian supporters had been cheering the nation’s rowers on at the Olympic rowing course at Eton Dorney.

“The crowd in general is amazing,” Every-Hall said. “Every stand is packed and the noise is amazing. There are heaps of Aussie supporters, of which, a large contingent are in the family and friends stand, all together.

“Bronwen and I have our own little cheer squad with T-shirts cheering us on. They have labelled their tops the ‘Mightylites’ and they look great.”